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The Great Crossing - From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean

14 days / 13 nights
Canal du Midi - Canal de Garonne - Atlantic Coast - Seas and rivers - Leisure cycling - Culture & gastronomy - E-bike tours - Self-guided - E-bike
Without guide - Comfort - Luggage transfer

Last updated: 13/11/2022

price from
~2282 $ [2100 €] per pers.

From Lacanau, a beautiful little town on the Atlantic coast, here is a unique itinerary that will allow you to reach the Mediterranean. Two weeks of cycling in comfortable accommodation with luggage transfers from one stage to another. A Europe Active exclusivity!

Some accommodations have very limited availability, the steps may vary and differ from those mentionned on the data sheet.

Your day by day program

1
Lacanau

Arrival at Lacanau. Settle yourself at your hotel which is a few meters away from the sea and its beautiful sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see.

Night at the 2-stars hotel

2
From Médoc to Bordelais

Leave Lacanau, a city rocked by the waves that surfers and snowboarders particularly like to reach Bordeaux by exceptional sites such as the protected forest that surrounds Lacanau, aquatic natural spaces deep blue, ideal for a swim, the lake. Bordeaux, and at the end of the stage, the famous Place de la Bourse.
A bike path designed for your comfort, allows you to leave the Atlantic coast to reach the city center of one of the most beautiful city of France in complete safety.

Night in a 3-stars hotel

3
Sauveterre de Guyenne

The bike path from Bordeaux makes it easy to get away from the city. The edge of the river and its fishing huts, the old houses of Bordeaux quickly give way to wooded landscapes and vineyards as far as the eye can see. The succession of old stations rehabilitated in bars and restaurants leaves the step with charming small roads allowing to join the heart of the bordelais winegrowing.

Approximately 41 km
Dinner and overnight in bed and breakfast with swimming pool near the bike path

4
Castles and wind mills up to the Garonne

So you take the bike path to its end and always vineyards in small villages. Arrived at Sauveterre de Guyenne and a passage on the beautiful square of the city center, you will leave on small and quiet country roads. The old churches are at the rendezvous as well as beautiful castles including an extremely well preserved dating from the 13th century. This part of the stage is a bit sportier with pretty hills reminiscent of Tuscan landscapes. After crossing a small bridge built by Gustave Eiffel and the discovery of a beautiful old mill, you will join your evening step where Karine will be happy to make you discover the wine she produces herself and you can enjoy by the pool in the beautiful setting of his bed and breakfast.

About 40 km
Night in bed and breakfast - Breakfast included

5
The Canal de Garonne

First day on the Canal de Garonne. The trees along the canal are impressive and provide a pleasant and shady route all the way. It is easy to stop in the small villages crossed to refresh or refuel. For the most observant, you will see in the canal or its surroundings herons, ducks, turtles, nutria ... Today you will pass by Le Mas D'Agenais and Damazan, charming typical villages.

Approximately 59 km
Meal and night in a bed and breakfast of character

6
In prune country!

You leave the bed and breakfast and join the canal nearby. Today, you will follow many fruit farms which include the prunes of Agen. You will also discover the small town of Agen with its edge Garonne and its small town center very friendly. Good step for a lunch on a sunny terrace! Keep an eye on the canal where it is possible to see some turtles, it is about Florida turtles probably released from some awkward aquariums ... Evening step in a charming village at the edge of the Garonne.

About 48 km
Meal and night in bed and breakfast

7
Churches and markets

This region of France is famous for its markets and do not hesitate to inquire with the host of the day before to know if a market takes place in the vicinity. Some villages are on the banks of the canal, it is very easy to get there. You will take a rather "wild" bike path where birds and other animals are relatively numerous. Do not miss the exit to Moissac which is worth a look, if only for its superb abbey.

About 35 or 47 km depending on accommodation
Night in bed and breakfast

8
Up to Toulouse.

For this last stage along the Canal de Garonne, you will be amazed by the number of nutrients visible on the banks. Just look at the opposite bank to see how many awesome holes they have made. Some Florida turtles sometimes bask in the sun but still, they are often difficult to see. The route is soon in the industrial and commercial area around Toulouse and the bike path becomes the Canal du Midi which takes you to the heart of the pink city. Make a detour by the edge of the Garonne where the landscapes are magnificent.

About 36 or 48 km
Night in a 3-stars hotel ideally located near the train station and the historic center

9
From Toulouse to Castelnaudary

After an excellent breakfast and the recovery of the bicycles in case of hiring (delivered to the hotel), you will join the bike path in the heart of Toulouse. The locks will follow each other on this stage, as well as the small ports with undeniable charm. The route is charming, mostly in the shade of ancient trees. You will join Castelnaudary which displays "Cassoulet" wholesale on each storefront.

60 km stage
Night in a 2-stars hotel

10
From Castelnaudary to Carcassonne

This stage will take you through many vineyards. You will discover beautiful homes and take part of the Canal wilder than the day before. The path is often narrower. You will finally arrive in Carcassonne, fortified city of all beauty. The City, medieval jewel, remains animated throughout the season.

Approximately 41 km
Night in a 3-stars hotel

11
Vineyards and Cathar castles

You can enjoy this day to relax in the beautiful city of Carcassonne. For those who wish, we have developed a beautiful route to the Black Mountain. You will discover the hinterland, many vineyards (tastings possible) as well as the Châteaux de Lastours and for the more courageous, the Cave of Limousis.
Back to Carcassonne.

Altitude difference: + 600m approximately for the option including the cave / + 300m approximately with only the Châteaux de Lastours
About 47 km

12
From Carcassonne to Narbonne

This is a day full of challenges. The distance to be covered is long, it is better to leave to the cool and to give the margin. The locks follow one another, as well as the small villages. The vineyards are becoming more numerous and many tastings are proposed along the canal. You will join the Canal de la Robine, classified World Heritage by Unesco, which will take you to the heart of the beautiful city of Narbonne.

Stage of about 75 to 79 km depending on the options
Night in Narbonne in a 3-stars hotel

13
From Narbonne to the Mediterranean.

You will leave Narbonne by following the Canal de la Robine. The route will lead you through the vineyards and then enter the Natural Reserve of Saint Lucia that you can visit by foot. You will pass between two large ponds to Port-la-Nouvelle. This is an opportunity to swim in the sea on a beautiful white sand beach. The return can be done on the same route or by train. It is also possible to go to Narbonne-Plage by bike.


Night in Narbonne in a 3-stars hotel
Approximately 24 km with a return by train or 48 km with the return by bike

14
End of your holiday

Possible return by train from Narbonne to Toulouse, Bordeaux or anywhere else. Bike transport is available on several trains a day with no extra charge. Extra night possible.

End of your stay

Departure board

The day of your choice, from early April to November.

Technical information

Fact sheet
Starting point
  • From your hotel in Lacanau.
End
  • End of the tour in Narbonne.
Accommodation
  • Hotels and Bnbs with: rooms with shower or bath. At least 3 lodgings with swimming-pool.
Number of people
  • From 2 people
Level of difficulty
  • Tarmac circuit easy and flat in general on the first part. From Toulouse, the road turns into a track (not recommended for racing bikes). From 40 to 50 km per day with 2 stages of about 70 km.
Carrying
  • The following bag (1 per person) is transported by vehicle to the next stage.
Options
  • July and August extra cost : 70€
  • Single room supplement : 550€
  • Regular bike rental (delivery and repatriation included) : 225€
  • Electric bike rental (delivery and repatriation included) : 265€
  • GPS tracks on USB stick : 25€
Included
  • 13 nights in hotels and BnBs
  • Breakfasts, 3 diners
  • Luggage transfers
  • Maps and road-books
Not included
  • Personnal transfers to the meeting point and from the end of the tour
  • Insurances
  • Lunches, diners that are not included in the description
  • Train transportations
  • Bike rental, delivery and repatriation included (unless booked in extra)

Map

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